CHRISTIANA ELLIS award-winning local author and podcaster donated signed copies of her book, "Nina Kimberly the Merciless," a fantasy novel with a modern sense of humor, about the headstrong teenage daughter of a barbarian conqueror. The podcast was an inaugural nominee for the 2006 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Long Form and was also nominated for a Podcast Peer Award. In 2010, Foreword Magazine awarded Nina Kimberly the Merciless with the Bronze Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel of the Year.

Special guest sci-fi author Mark L. Van Name autographed a copy of his book CHILDREN NO MORE for one lucky winner. This is the fourth and latest installment of Van Name's series featuring nano-enhanced mercenary Jon Moore and sentient assault vehicle Lobo. Van Name is donating every cent he receives (including the advance) from the sale of both hardcover and paperback copies of the CHILDREN NO MORE to Falling Whistles campaign for peace in the Congo, to help rehabilitate and reintegrate child soldiers.

Steampunk prize package donated by Jen Hilton of JLHjewelry: Two steampunk books featuring her work, "Steampunk Style Jewelry" and "1000 Steampunk Creations," and a handmade acid-etched and hammered brass and copper "serenity" pendant. (Cover price for each book is $25 apiece, retail value of necklace is $38. Total prize value of $88.)

Shepherd Book prize basket includes a copy of Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale graphic novel, Shepherd Book necklace by JLHjewelry, rosemary, serenity pen, and an authentic autographed card from the Serenity trading card series by Inkworks signed by Ron Glass. (Total value of this prize is more than $50.)

Fruity Oaty Bar prize bag is one BlueQ "Yum!" tote filled with fruity treats from Japan and Singapore, temporary tattoos, and two 4x6 acrylic magnets featuring the Fruity Oaty Bar girls. (Total value of this prize is more than $20.)

Jayne's bunk junk prize pack with a very cunning knitted hat from Illusionext, a brand new Cabela's safari shirt (size XL) with an Army pilot pin on the pocket (similar to the shirt and pin he wore in the Maidenhead bar), Alliance replica money, a deck of cards, a replica of his forged medical badge (from the Firefly episode "Ariel") and other goodies from the Hero of Canton. (Total value of this prize is more than $80.)Browncoat prize basket which includes a sterling silver "serenity" pendant from Dragonweave, Browncoat soap by Geeky Clean, brown wax candle, reusable Browncoat grocery bag from Washosaurus, "Serenity" comic by Dark Horse, "Space Age Loser" CD by the Browncoats band, goodies from Firefly Cargo Bay, items from Cats Dreaming -- fabric fortune cookie, serenity bookmark and "leaf on the wind" pendant, and a ceramic "serenity" magnet by Earthenwood Studio. (Total value of this prize is more than $85.)

Framed 11x17 "Bellerophon Fire" poster by John Anderson. The Bellephoron Fire design was originally created for the webseries COURAGE, and appeared in promo shots of the production. It's a sport based on 'hoopball' which the cast plays in hold of the ship.

Jen Hilton, who organized the first three Raleigh screenings in 2006, 2007 and 2008, was interviewed by Sending a Wave, a UK-based Browncoat podcast, about the Raleigh event and her 6 years participating in CSTS. Click here to listen... (she appears about 3/4 through the program).

WHAT IS SERENITY?

When the renegade crew of the spaceship "Serenity" agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves caught between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space.

The movie "Serenity" is the continuation of the tragically canceled 2002 TV show "Firefly," from the mind of Joss Whedon, creator of "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" and "Buffy." Even now, many years later, the show's fanbase is still growing ... and still flyin'.